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[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

WHO: Queen Elizabeth & Henry VIII
WHEN: Monday mid-morning
WHERE: Henry's place.
WHAT: Elizabeth finally comes to see the scary daddy man

Elizabeth had used less than legal ways of tracking down her father's New York address. As a lawyer that should have been a no-no, but Elizabeth had been the queen of the most powerful empire on earth; she didn't always listen to what she was supposed to do even now. Besides, he was still calling himself Henry Tudor. That had cut down the search somewhat.

Now she sat in a coffeeshop a block from his home, drinking her heavily sugared pot of English Breakfast and working up the courage to make the last leg of the journey. It had taken her a long time to work up to coming here at all. Elizabeth hated to admit it - even to herself - but Henry frightened her. But it was more than that. If her feelings were simply fear that would have made it easy, but mingled in with that there were other things to confuse it. There was the part of Elizabeth that wanted him to be proud of her and all she'd done, that longed for recognition as his daughter, that loved him because he was that bright man who'd lift her up when she was brought to court, that hated him for taking away every mother he brought into her life, that had no idea how to even put all those parts together into one neat and logical ball.

Elizabeth felt like she was about to have a panic attack. In the restroom of the cafe she washed her face with cold water and reminded herself to breathe steadily. Then she paid her bill and walked to the address she had.

Another few slow breaths at the door and then Elizabeth pressed the buzzer and waited.

Comments

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

Henry was in a fantastic mood and he had been since he had seen Jane and taken her out for dinner. His rightful wife was back and that meant that everything was okay.

When the buzzer went off, Henry stood and went to answer it. He was barefoot, though wearing jeans and a t-shirt. He pulled the door open and fixed the woman on the other side with a confused look. "Can I help you?"

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

Elizabeth could feel her heart thundering and she felt somewhat lightheaded - the beginnings of panic that she forced down by slowing down her breathing.

She set her jaw as she watched Henry and then said, firmly, "Elizabeth."

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

Henry raised an eyebrow, wondering if that was supposed to mean something to him. It was a common enough name. It had been his mother's name. "Elizabeth. I'm sorry, I don't recall. Did we sleep together?"

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

Elizabeth's expression was one of utter disgust. "Your daughter," she hissed.

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

Henry's expression softened immediately, though he showed no shame for not recognising her immediately. "Elizabeth," he said softly. He paused and said, "come inside."

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

His voice was suddenly gentle and it threw Elizabeth off a little. She always remembered him that way in life.

"Thank you." Drawing off her white gloves slowly, Elizabeth entered and reminded herself to keep breathing.

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

Henry closed the door behind him and then he felt slightly awkward. This was the daughter of that whore, Anne Boleyn. He had written her off as just another useless daughter, but then she had been a queen worthy of the name Tudor, unlike his other daughter.

"Elizabeth," he said, the same warmth in his voice. "I didn't know you were in the city."

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

"I've been here for a few years now," Elizabeth told him, standing stiffly, her hands folded in front of her as she watched him. She wanted so badly to be as tall as him, but she wasn't. It displeased her. "I've made a name for myself as a divorce lawyer."

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

Henry sized her up, pleased that she was pretty and slim. He hadn't been around for her adult years and so this was the first time he had come face to face with her when she could, conceivably, hold her own. "I see. And you are successful?"

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

"Yes, very successful," Elizabeth said with a raised chin and pride evident in her voice. "I work for one of best firms in the city and make $250,000 a year. Whatever I go after, I achieve."

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

Henry lifted one side of his mouth into a lopsided smile. He moved to lay a hand on her shoulder. "That's my girl," he said proudly. "Making use of that Tudor blood."

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

Elizabeth had frozen when he'd touched her, but she'd not moved away. "The blood isn't only yours," she said, although her voice was quieter as she spoke it. She knew it wasn't the right thing to say.

But she had no idea what to say in her father's presence. She hadn't seen this man since she was a girl, but still he rattled her. Moreso now than he ever had then. Elizabeth now knew what he was better than she could have in her youth.

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

Henry raised an eyebrow at her, his expression hardening, somewhat. He didn't say anything to her outburst though. He would wait until she said more, if she was going to. Sometimes Henry's temper erupted without warning at the slightest thing and sometimes he was cunning and he waited for a person to slip up and reveal themselves to him completely.

"Tell me what brings you here," he said, his tone ever-so-slightly colder.

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

Now that was where it got complicated, because why was Elizabeth here?

"I saw that you were in the city," Elizabeth told him after a pause, her eyes remaining on his his. She had to force herself not to waver. "I thought it right I make myself known."

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

Henry nodded firmly. "Good girl," he said, patting her shoulder again. "Come sit. Would you like some tea?"

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

Henry called her 'good girl' and part of Elizabeth glowed with the praise, as little as it was. She had always longed to impress him.

"I would," Elizabeth said with a nod, ready to follow where ever he wanted to lead her. She didn't know how to make this meeting less uncomfortable.

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

Henry led her into his dining room and then flicking the kettle on. "You know...of all my children you were the one who truly lived up to our name."

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

"I know," Elizabeth said, and the pride was evident in her voice. She knew how good she had been. She knew that she had been the very best. "I was the finest ruler our country ever saw."

Let Henry make his reply to that.

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

"The finest queen, yes," he agreed as if that had been what she meant all along. "I still grieve for your brother's short life. I do believe he would have been spectacular had be lived." He avoided mentioning Mary at all.

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

Elizabeth let the queen comment go. It was, after all, true, even though Elizabeth knew what Henry was doing.

"He was a sweet boy," Elizabeth agreed. Although in childhood she'd gotten along with Edward, the little brat had almost ruined her chance at the throne. "He would have made a bad king, as bad as Mary. Anyone but me would have been a weak ruler." Her tone turned darker. "And you didn't even want me to rule."

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

"No, I didn't," Henry admitted. "I feared you would have too much of your mother in you. I do wish you had married. Too have the throne pass to Scotland..."

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

"I wouldn't know how much of my mother I have within me," Elizabeth said sharply, her gaze dangerous. "I never was given a chance to know her. And to marry? You think I would allow any man to have the power of me that you had over your own queens? Never."

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

Henry narrowed his eyes as well. "The power I had over my queens was because I was a king. No man would have had that power over you as your consort. And your mother," he said, leaning forward, "was a cheating witch. I see nothing of her in you except a love for speaking out of turn."

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

"I will speak whenever and however I please!" Despite the force of her words, Elizabeth had leaned back as he'd leaned forward. Henry's mere presence was overwhelming and threatening to her.

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

"She said the same thing and you see what it got her," Henry growled back at her.

In the background, the kettle clicked off. The water was boiled.

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

"Don't you dare threaten me," Elizabeth warned him, forcing herself not to shrink under his anger. "You're not king any more and I have the power to make your life miserable if you test me."

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

"Don't you dare threaten me," Elizabeth warned him, forcing herself not to shrink under his anger. "You're not king any more and I have the power to make your life miserable if you test me."

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

Henry slowly raised one eyebrow and then he stood from his seat so he was towering over her. His voice was quiet, but clearly filled with rage. "Elizabeth, you are mu daughter and I will not be threatened by you."

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

Elizabeth set her jaw hard and then took a long, slow breath. "And I am not a little girl anymore," Elizabeth said as calmly as she could as she watched him. "I'll no longer be scared of you."

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

Henry watched her and instead of exploding in her face, he nodded at her. "Good girl," he said again. She hadn't threatened him, she had only stood up to him.

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

Beneath the table Elizabeth's hands were shaking and she was glad that he couldn't see it. "No milk," was what she said. "Four sugars."

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

He moved to get her tea exactly how she asked for it and then returned, handing it to her. "This much sugar will rot your teeth," he said, sounding fatherly.

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

"It did," Elizabeth said with a little smile. "But these days they have proper dentists and toothpaste. I can't shake the sweet tooth though."

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

"Understandable," he said, settling back down with his own tea. "So tell me, do you have someone special now?"

[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

This was a slightly sore subject, Elizabeth had to admit. She and Arthur had finally called it quits on their relationship - it had become more arguments than anything else.

"No," Elizabeth said after a pause, focusing on her tea. "I'm not seeing anyone." Then, with worry, she realised that it was a little more important to know what Henry was doing with his love life.

"You?" she asked him, trying to sound casual.

[lucky-number-7.insanejournal.com]

Henry smiled widely at that and he said, "Jane. Jane found me again and she and I have been dating. I am so glad to have my true wife back."